For newborn tummies

0–6 month old babies should generally have only breast milk or infant formula. Please talk to your pediatrician before giving anything else.

Take care of you and your baby ❤️

COCOA PEBBLES

food & drinks • For 0-6 month old infants • Consumable 🍝

food & drinks

Product Images

Product Photo

Tap to enlarge

Ingredient List

Tap to enlarge

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to eat COCOA PEBBLES?

🚫

NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 30 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: COCOA PEBBLES contains 19 ingredients. 5 concerning, 2 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (19 found)

Cocoa

🚨6/10

Cocoa contains caffeine and theobromine which are stimulants not recommended for infants under 6 months. It may cause allergic reactions or digestive issues. Likely used for flavor in sweetened cereal.

No Known Risk - Cocoa is generally recognized as safe for consumption in babies when used in appropriate amounts. There is no strong evidence linking cocoa to any of the listed risks for babies, such as irritation, hormone disruption, or long-term health effects, when consumed in typical dietary amounts. However, caution should be used regarding added sugars or caffeine content in some cocoa products, but pure cocoa itself does not present known risks based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

Natural Flavor

🚨6/10

Not recommended for babies under six months. Natural flavor is vague and may contain unknown ingredients or allergens.

No Known Risk - Natural flavor is a broad term for flavoring substances derived from natural sources. While the exact composition can vary, current research and regulatory reviews have not identified immediate health risks for babies when used in typical amounts in consumable products. There is no strong evidence linking natural flavors to specific health risks in infants, so an abundance of caution suggests it is generally considered safe.

Confidence: HIGH

Salt

🚨6/10

Salt can pose strong safety concerns for 0-6 month babies as their kidneys are immature and excess sodium can harm them. It is likely used for flavor or preservation in sweetened cereal.

Organ Risk - Excessive salt intake in babies can strain immature kidneys and may lead to kidney damage or high blood pressure.

Long-Term Risk - High salt consumption in infancy is linked to increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Confidence: HIGH

Artificial Flavor

🚨6/10

Artificial flavors are a vague category with potential unknown chemicals and some removed for safety. Use with caution in 0-6 month baby foods due to immature metabolism.

Long-Term Risk - Artificial flavors are a broad category of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked in animal studies and limited human data to potential long-term health effects, especially with repeated exposure in early life. The lack of transparency about specific chemicals used increases uncertainty about their safety for babies.

Organ Risk - Certain artificial flavoring agents have been associated with organ toxicity in animal studies, particularly affecting the liver and kidneys after repeated ingestion. Babies are more vulnerable due to their developing organs.

Immune system - Some artificial flavors may alter immune responses or increase the risk of allergies, especially in infants with developing immune systems.

ADHD/ADD - There is some evidence linking artificial food additives, including certain artificial flavors, to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though the evidence is not conclusive for all artificial flavors.

Confidence: HIGH

BHT

🚨6/10

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative. It has potential toxicity concerns and is not recommended for infants under 6 months due to immature metabolism.

Cancer - Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) has shown evidence of being a possible carcinogen in animal studies, with some regulatory agencies listing it as a possible human carcinogen.

Organ Risk - High doses of BHT have been linked to liver and kidney effects in animal studies, raising concerns about organ toxicity with repeated or high exposure.

Hormones - Some studies suggest BHT may have endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially interfering with hormone function.

Builds Up - BHT is a fat-soluble compound and can accumulate in body tissues over time with repeated exposure.

Long-Term Risk - Long-term exposure to BHT has been associated with chronic health effects in animal studies, though human data is limited.

Banned - BHT is banned or restricted in certain countries for use in food products due to safety concerns.

Confidence: HIGH

Sugar

⚠️5/10

Added sugar is not recommended for babies under six months. It is not acutely toxic but can harm nutrition and encourage sweet preference and later health issues.

ADHD/ADD - High sugar intake has been linked in some studies to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though evidence is mixed.

Organ Risk - Excessive sugar consumption is associated with increased risk of fatty liver disease and can stress the pancreas in children.

Long-Term Risk - Chronic high sugar intake in early life is linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome later in life.

Metabolism - High sugar intake can negatively affect how the body processes nutrients and is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic disturbances.

Confidence: HIGH

Caramel Color

⚠️4/10

Caramel Color is a common food additive used for coloring in sweetened cereals but safety data for 0-6 month babies is limited so caution is advised.

Cancer - Some types of caramel color, especially those produced with ammonia (Class III and IV), can contain 4-MEI (4-methylimidazole), which has been identified as a possible carcinogen in animal studies and is listed by California as a chemical known to cause cancer.

Confidence: HIGH

Zinc Oxide

✅3/10

Zinc oxide supplies dietary zinc. GRAS as nutrient supplement. In infant formula zinc levels are regulated. Safe at proper levels, but excess may impair copper, cause GI upset.

Confidence: HIGH

Rice

✅2/10

Rice is generally safe for babies but not recommended as a main food before 6 months due to digestion and arsenic concerns. Likely used as a carbohydrate source in baby food.

No Known Risk - Rice is widely used as a first food for babies and is generally considered safe when cooked and served appropriately. There are no immediate health concerns or established risks associated with rice itself for babies based on current research, aside from rare allergies. However, concerns about arsenic in rice are not directly related to the rice ingredient itself but to environmental contamination, so the ingredient rice alone does not warrant a risk label.

Confidence: HIGH

Canola Oil

✅1/10

Canola oil is commonly used as a safe fat source in baby foods including cereals for 0-6 month infants It provides essential fatty acids and is generally well tolerated

No Known Risk - Canola oil is widely used in infant formulas and baby foods and is considered safe for consumption by babies. There is no strong scientific evidence linking canola oil to any of the listed risks when used as a food ingredient for infants. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EFSA have not identified canola oil as a risk for babies.

Confidence: HIGH

Folic Acid

✅1/10

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate essential for infant development and commonly added to baby foods and formulas. It is very safe at recommended levels for 0-6 month babies.

No Known Risk - Folic acid is an essential B vitamin recommended for infants and pregnant women, with no evidence of harm at recommended doses. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks in babies when used appropriately.

Confidence: HIGH

Niacinamide

✅1/10

Niacinamide is vitamin B3. Essential for infants and used to fortify formula. Safe at regulated amounts. High doses may cause adverse effects, so avoid extra supplementation.

No Known Risk - Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is generally recognized as safe for consumption, including in infants, when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to any of the listed risks in babies, and it is an essential nutrient for growth and development.

Confidence: HIGH

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

✅1/10

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is vitamin B6 commonly added to infant formula and baby foods. It is safe and essential for infants 0-6 months in regulated amounts.

No Known Risk - Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is a form of vitamin B6 commonly used in infant formulas and supplements. It is considered safe at recommended dosages, with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when used appropriately. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks listed above at normal exposure levels.

Confidence: HIGH

Reduced Iron

✅1/10

Iron is essential for infant development and commonly added to baby cereals and formulas to prevent anemia. It is safe and necessary in regulated amounts for 0-6 month babies.

Confidence: HIGH

Vitamin A Palmitate

✅1/10

Vitamin A Palmitate is a safe and common vitamin A source in infant foods and formulas for 0-6 month babies when used within recommended limits.

Confidence: HIGH

Vitamin B12

✅1/10

Vitamin B12 is essential and safe for infants 0-6 months in formula and baby food at recommended levels. It supports healthy development and is commonly added.

No Known Risk - Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient required for healthy development in babies and children. There is no evidence linking normal dietary or supplemental use of vitamin B12 to any of the listed risks. It is considered safe when used as directed and is not associated with irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other negative health effects in infants.

Confidence: HIGH

Vitamin D3

✅1/10

Vitamin D3 is essential and safe for 0-6 month babies in formula and supplements to support bone health and prevent deficiency.

No Known Risk - Vitamin D3 is considered safe for babies when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to the listed risks when used appropriately. Toxicity is only a concern at extremely high doses, which is not typical for normal use in baby products.

Confidence: HIGH

Riboflavin

✅0/10

Riboflavin is vitamin B2 essential for infant growth and development. It is safe and commonly added to baby foods and formulas.

No Known Risk - Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential nutrient with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when consumed at recommended levels. It is not linked to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or any other risk labels listed. Therefore, it is considered safe for baby consumption based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

Thiamin Mononitrate

✅0/10

Thiamine Mononitrate is a stable form of vitamin B1 essential for infant development and safe in baby formula and nutritional drinks for 0-6 months.

No Known Risk - Thiamine Mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 commonly used in food fortification and supplements. It is considered safe for infants and children at recommended dietary levels, with no evidence linking it to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or other health risks based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About COCOA PEBBLES

Is this newborn-safe? COCOA PEBBLES

COCOA PEBBLES is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 19 ingredients in COCOA PEBBLES. 5 concerning, 2 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start eating food & drinks?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.